Respect unusual sign of authority (7)
I believe the answer is:
sceptre
'sign of authority' is the definition.
(a sceptre is a ceremonial staff)
'respect unusual' is the wordplay.
'unusual' indicates an anagram.
'respect' with letters rearranged gives 'SCEPTRE'.
(Other definitions for sceptre that I've seen before include "Part of the royal regalia" , "Ruler's staff" , "Royal symbol" , "Royal staff (paired with 2 down)" , "Royal baton" .)